S4 Information Evening

Tuesday 24 February 2015

Welcome

The Senior Phase• Senior Phase covers S4 to S6

• All pupils will leave with a portfolio of qualifications at their exit point from school, whether that be at the end of S4, S5 or S6

• We aim for all learners to achieve the most they can at the highest level they can, and will provide various pathways to enable them to do so

Why return to school?

• Post-compulsory education• Return as a positive decision

– I want to achieve more qualifications– I want to take up opportunities for wider

achievement– I want to play a role in the senior school

Current Qualifications New QualificationsReplaced

by(Revised)

(Revised)

National 1

National 2

National 3

Senior Phase

S4 S5 S6

National 3 National 4 National 5

National 4 National 5 Higher

National 5 Higher Advanced Higher

Progression into S5 June 2015• 27-period week (each period lasts 1 hour)• 5 Higher and/or National courses, with 5

periods for eachPLUS

• PSE with Guidance Teacher – five morning blocks in terms one and two

• Rota: PE/RME/health promotion/enterprise

Making Decisions for S5

• Do I enjoy learning in this subject?• What is appropriate level for me in subject?• Overall, how many courses at each level?• Take account of possible future pathways –

investigate/explore/research• Have high aspirations

Progression into S6 June 2016• Up to 5 courses – National, Higher or

Advanced Higher• Volunteering in school or community• Supporting younger pupils, e.g. as peer

mentor, paired reader, in-class supporter• Committees • Extra-curricular activities

Pupils’ Responsibilities

• Attendance and punctuality• Dress code• Demeanour and manners• Keeping on track with learning – fully

committed to studies• Leadership in the school – a vital role

Assessment• Courses split into Units• Unit assessments, e.g. Oct, Jan, March (only

one re-assessment allowed per task)• Internal prelims – January/February 2016• SQA Examinations – May/June 2016• Full award depends on unit tests and final

examination

Monitoring of Progress• Target setting – pupil identifies own next

steps in discussion with teacher• Monitoring and tracking• Reports• Parents’ Evening• Prelims• Regular tracking with personal supporter• Crucial role of parents

Additional Support Needs

• All SQA assessment arrangements are based on evidence of need

• Each subject teacher must provide up-to-date evidence of this need

• Arrangements relate to the current year of study only

Post-results Service

• Since August 2014, the Appeals Service has ceased to exist

INSTEAD• Administrative review of candidate’s script can

be requested by school if PT feels an error has been made (NB This is not a re-mark)

• Exceptional circumstances consideration

InsightWill provide data on 4 measures:• Percentage of positive sustained destinations• Percentage of pupils leaving school with National

4 literacy and numeracy• How we improve attainment for all• How we combat any attainment gap linked to

relative wealth

Options Calendar

• Options Booklet already issued• Parents’ consultation evening 17 March• Individual discussion with subject teachers• Course Choice interviews with guidance

teacher until 20 March• Final date for completed course choice

sheets is Tuesday 24 March

Progression beyond school

exit point = a positive destination:

• Employment• Apprenticeship• College• University

• Parentzone is organised into distinct and user-friendly areas covering issues that affect parents during the different stages of their children's education

www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk

Education Scotland Parentzone

National Parent Forum of Scotland